St Petersburg: Madonna accused of breaking anti-gay law and branded a whore
As expected, this week’s gig by the queen of pop in Russia’s second largest city has not passed off without controversy.
Before the concert police officers were deployed to the venue, as priests vowed to burn pictures of the pop icon following her demonstration on stage in Moscow two nights earlier.
During the performance Madonna decided to wear a balaclava – the trademark accessory of the punk band Pussy Riot – she also stripped to reveal a black bra with the words of the band written on her back.
Musicians from the group are currently on trial for hooliganism charges in Moscow following a performance at a cathedral in February.
During Thursday’s gig the Material Girl again stripped to her bra, this time to reveal the words “No Fear!” written on her back.
She told the 10-thousand-strong audience that gay people deserved the same rights as everybody else.
None of this has gone down well with Russia’s hard-line politicians.
According to Sky News, earlier this week, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin implied Madonna was a whore on Twitter: “Every former w…. seeks to lecture everyone on morality as she gets older – especially during tours and gigs abroad.”, he said.
Meanwhile, the Times of India reports that St Petersburg councillor Vitaly Milonov, author of the city’s anti-gay censorship law, has threatened legal action against either the singer or the concert’s organisers.
He claims that children under the age of 18 attended Thursday’s performance and would have been subjected to Madonna’s pro-gay remarks.
